Vision:

Join the disciplines of painting & mosaic to create a connected collection of representational images in segments of vibrant color; sometimes pretty pictures that reflect a thought, a moment in history, the remants of song, a concept or a mood.

C.V.
Born 1954, Bronx NY
Currently resides near Richmond, VA

Schooling:
BA in Psychology - State University of New York
Graduate Studies - Arizona State University
Independent Studies - Mosaics; Ravenna, Istanbul, Cyprus

Once I created my technique [in a vacuum][in about 2003], I "perfected" it, but I'm still evolving.

The first 10,000 hours were hard.

Whatever I have accomplished so far is by trying anything and everything."

HISTORY

I learned to mix paint before I could write my name and play piano before I could read music.

I spent my youth sitting quietly in my bedroom drawing. I cut school to spend days at art museums and galleries in New York City.

I changed majors in under grad and disciplines in grad school so many times, I decided to take my life-long love of learning out of academia.

In most ways, I am self-taught.

I studied mosaics overseas and applied this knowledge into my current work. I am very much influenced by what I have seen during my extensive travels and inspired by fashion, music & emotions.

CAREER

I began my professional career painting murals.

I moved on as a designer of numerous consumer goods: needlework, leather goods, fashion and accessories.

I was the creative force and cofounder of

On Display Inc., a ground breaking retail display design & production company. I gained national attention and recognition designing stores, fixtures, and props. Designs for Levi Strauss & CO. appeared on the cover of Visual Merchandising and Store Design Magazine. ...and I was always painting custom portraits “on the side.” I became a special event designer - florals, sets, props for corporate and private events. This somehow took me into corporate nonprofit work...naturally! By the way, that's my bathroom floor.. and yes, I did it!

QUIRKY!

I was a subject of an extensive research study.

I have Eidetic Imagery - something like a photographic memory...but I can see images in the air, watch movies in the air...it is extremely rare.

In addition, I have Perfect Pitch and I am a Synesthete – these "phenomena" have affected my entire existence! Drawing, designing, painting - always in color, always in “tune.” I began piano lessons at four.

In my world, words, numbers, and sound are infused with color. I do see thing differently. My brain is the projector – placing images on blank canvas. This is typical of those with eidetic imagery, and how the early masters "saw" and reproduced their subjects without them being present. My work is an algebraic equation. It is a mathematical progression.

"Are YOU the artist?" - When people meet me, they seemed surprised - were you expecting someone taller? younger? thinner? cuter? male?

"How long have you been an artist?" - I've never not been an artist.

"How long have you been doing this kind of work?" - I've always painted in this style and had my hands in mosaic of one kind or another for many years. It's a natural progression.

"How did you come up with this idea?" - I'm an artist. Necessity is the mother of invention. I wanted to create mosaic portraits without cutting glass!